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POLITICO 44

Tales about Teddy Kennedy's sailing and lousy singing voice got big laughs at his Friday night memorial service at Boston's JFK Library — but it was a call to use his death as a spur to pass health care reform that ignited the passion of those gathered to honor him.

Kennedy's family and friends, led by his nephew Rep. Joe Kennedy and Senate brother-in-arms John Kerry, celebrated the Massachusetts Democrat's 77 years by vowing to carry on his fight, despite GOP warnings against politicizing his passing.

"He labored for the right to give health care to all Americans and we'll do that in his name," said Kerry, who recalled Kennedy's struggles preparing himself for public appearances during his year-long battle with brain cancer.

Joe Kennedy likened his uncle's passion for sailing to his passion for health care reform, pounding the podium as he repeated Kennedy's advice to him.

"Don't ever, ever, ever, ever give up," the former Massachusetts congressman said to a burst of applause.

The star-packed audience – including a dozen U.S. Senators, Vice President Joe Biden, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, Lauren Bacall, Tom Brokaw and the whole of the Kennedy clan erupted with applause again at the conclusion of a Ken Burns video in which Kennedy predicted his reform bill would pass.

The hard edge of the health care comments contrasted with nearly three hours of tearful, poignant, often hilarious tales of Ted.

Biden remembered Kennedy’s kindness and support after his wife and young son were killed in a car crash in 1972. “He crept into my heart and before I knew it, he owned a piece of it,” said Biden. “He took on the role of being my older brother — I couldn’t understand why he was going out of his way for me.”

Though Kennedy “bore more hurt and heartache than most humans are ever asked to endure,” he was fun, said Paul Kirk, the former DNC chair who was one of Kennedy's closest friends, summing up the view from the podium, which overlooked his flag-draped coffin.

What a wonderful tribute the memorial was to Senator Kennedy. It was very personal and not political. Yes health care was mentioned-how could it not be as this was a central issue in Kennedy's public life for the last 30+ years, but it was by no means call to use his death to pass health care.

"He labored for the right to give health care to all Americans and we'll do that in his name," said Kerry.

He labored for the right to give health care to all Americans?

The liberals at POLITICO think Washington "gives" the people their blessings of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. On a whim from benevolent Senators like Ted Kennedy. Not vice versa--that these blessings are something we as human beings are endowed by our creator with--AKA: natural rights. Which is why our country is falling apart at the seams.

The liberals at POLITICO think Washington "gives" the people their blessings of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. On a whim from benevolent Senators like Ted Kennedy. Not vice versa--that these blessings are something we as human beings are endowed by our creator with--AKA: natural rights. Which is why our country is falling apart at the seams.

Astute observation my friend.

In case you wern't aware, Washington (AKA the U.S. Government) is exactly what brings us our rights. No Washington; no rights. It's as simple as that.

So Obama and the Democrats are going to politicize the death of Ted Kennedy, in an attempt to revive Obamacare?

This may be the most disgusting display of partisan politics EVER.

Of course, the liberals are desperate to pass Obama Care. It's the greatest thing since french bread for a liberal. They could give a rat's ass about what Americans want, or what's good for the country. This is ideologue time baby!

The gloves are off--let the sleaze flow! How low will the liberals go?

In case you wern't aware, Washington (AKA the U.S. Government) is exactly what brings us our rights. No Washington; no rights. It's as simple as that.

I guess you missed the preamble to the Constitution ignorant liberal. Let me refresh your memory:

We the people of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Pay particular attention to the "secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity" liberal. This means that our "Blessings of Liberty" exist notwithstanding the federal government.